PĂSTORII TURMEI – Calităţi pozitive

INTRO

1. Avem două liste de calităţi date de Pavel lui Timotei şi Tit: 1 Tim. 3:1-7 şi Tit
1:5-9.
2. În aceste liste găsim care sunt calităţile:
a) Pozitive: cum trebuie să fie un prezbiter.
b) Negative: cum nu trebuie să fie.

I. CUMPĂTAT (1 Tim. 3:2)

A. CUVÂNTUL…
1. Atent, circumspect, temperat, echilibrat.
2. Mai este folosit:
a) Pentru a descrie femeia credincioasă – 1 Tim. 3:11
b) Pentru a descrie pe cei în vârstă – Tit 2:2
B. APLICAŢIA…
1. Un prezbiter trebuie să fie echilibrat în toate lucrurile, ca unul la care
privesc mulţi ochi.

II. ÎNŢELEPT (1 Tim 3:2; Tit 1:8

A. CUVÂNTUL
1. Minte iscusită.
2. Prudent.
3. Mai este folosit:
- Cum trebuie să fie bătrânii – Tit 2:2
B. APLICAŢIA
III.
A. CUVÂNTUL
B. APLICAŢIA

B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "The idea is, that he should have his desires and passions well
regulated. Perhaps the word 'prudent' would come nearer to the
meaning of the apostle than any single word which we have."
- Barnes
2. "a man of a sound mind; having a good understanding, and the
complete government of all his passions. A bishop should be a
man of learning, of an extensive and well cultivated mind,
dispassionate, prudent, and sedate." - Clarke
III. OF GOOD BEHAVIOR (1 Ti 3:2)
A. THE WORD...
2. Translated as:
a. Of good behavior (KJV, NKJV)
b. Orderly (ASV), respectable (NASB, NRSV)
3. Used elsewhere:
 a. Of women regarding their apparel - 1 Ti 2:9
b. Where it is translated "modest" (orderly)
B. THE APPLICATION...
IV. HOSPITABLE (1 Ti 3:2; Ti 1:8)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., philoxenos - "literally, a lover of strangers; one who is
ready to receive into his house and relieve every necessitous
stranger." - Clarke
2. Translated as:
a. Given to hospitality (KJV)
b. Hospitable (NKJV, NASB)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. Proscribed for all Christians to practice - Ro 12:13; He
13:2
b. Even toward one another - 1 Pe 4:9
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "Ancient inns were usually of ill repute. Then, too, Christian
travelers were often poor, and hesitated to place themselves
under obligation to unbelievers. Thus, by entertaining such
travelers, particularly such as were missionaries of the cross,
the influence of the church could be extended, while at the
same time the spirit of love and sympathy could be shown."
- Erdman
2. "Often saints by persecution were made homeless. The bishops
must set the example of receiving such." - B. W. Johnson
V. ABLE TO TEACH, EXHORT, CONVICT (1 Ti 3:2; Ti 1:9)
A. THE WORDS...
1. Gr., didaktikos - "one qualified to teach" - Robertson's Word
Pictures
a. Translated as:
1) Apt to teach (KJV, ASV)
2) Able to teach (NKJV, NASB), an apt teacher (NRSV)
b. Used elsewhere:
1) Of servants of the Lord - 2 Ti 2:24
2) Such would include preachers, evangelists, as well as
elders
2. Gr., parakaleo - "to address, speak to, (call to, call upon),
which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort,
instruction, etc." - Thayer
a. Translated as:
1) "exhort" (NKJV, KJV, NASB), "preach" (NRSV)
2) "give instruction" (RSV), "comfort" (New Testament In
Basic English)
b. Used elsewhere:
1) Paul exhorting the Thessalonians - 1 Th 4:10; 5:14
2) What Paul instructed Titus to do - Ti 2:6,15
 3. Gr., elegcho - "to convict, refute, confute; generally with a
suggestion of shame of the person convicted; to find fault with,
correct" - Thayer
a. Translated as:
1) "convince" (KJV), "refute" (NASB, NRSV)
2) "convict" (NKJV, ASV)
b. Used elsewhere:
1) When confronting a brother who has sinned against you
- Mt 18:15
2) When rebuking an elder who has sinned - 1 Ti 5:20
3) What Timothy was to do when he preached the Word - 2 Ti
4:2
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "A shepherd must feed his flock; a pastor must break the bread
of life for his people and must rightly divide the word of
truth. Ability for this sacred task is the supreme requirement
for those to whom is entrusted the care of souls." - Erdman
2. "The true 'elder' must also be a guardian of the faith. He must
hold fast the sacred tradition, according to the gospel as
taught by the apostles, and he must be thus qualified because
of his twofold duty as a teacher, first, to encourage and
instruct believers, 'to exhort in the sound doctrine,' and
second, 'to convict the gainsayers,' that is, to withstand
unbelieving opponents, to reply to them successfully, to
'convict' them of fault." - Erdman
VI. GENTLE (1 Ti 3:3)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., epieikes - "equitable, fair, mild, gentle" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "patient" (KJV)
b. "gentle" (NKJV, ASV, NASB)
3. As used elsewhere:
a. Of moderation to be shown by all - Ph 4:5
b. Of which Titus was to remind all - Ti 3:1-2
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. An elder is "one who patiently bears all reproaches and
injuries, puts up with affronts, and gives up what is his right
and due, rather than contend, quarrel, and strike; who is
patient towards all men, and does not bear hard on those that
have offended, but is moderate and mild, and gentle in his
censures, reproofs, and admonitions" - Gill
2. "A Christian minister must be 'gentle,' sweetly reasonable,
eager to show forbearance and kindly consideration;" - Erdman
VII. GOOD TESTIMONY FROM WITHOUT (1 Ti 3:7)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., marturia - "record, report, testimony, witness" - Strong
 2. Translated as:
a. "testimony" (NKJV, ASV), "report" (KJV)
b. "reputation" (NASB), "well thought of" (NRSV)
3. As used elsewhere:
a. What was reported of the Cretans - Ti 1:12-13
b. What was said about Demetrius - 3 Jn 12
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. An elder must "have an established character which speaks well
for the church among the unconverted" - B. W. Johnson
2. "He must not only be favorably known by his fellow Christians,
but he must also have a good reputation in the community where
the church is located; otherwise his ill repute may bring
obloquy (a state of disgrace, a malicious attack) upon the
church, and the very fact that he is under suspicion and
reproach may prove a temptation to recklessness and sin;"
- Erdman
VIII. LOVER OF WHAT IS GOOD (Ti 1:8)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., philagathos - "fond of good, that is, a promoter off
virtue" - Strong
2. Translated as:
a. "a lover of what is good" (NKJV), "a lover of good men"
(KJV)
b. "loving what is good" (NASB), "a lover of goodness" (NRSV)
3. Not used anywhere else in the Scriptures - yet cf. Ph 4:8
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "of good things; as prayer, preaching, reading, meditation,
spiritual conversation, and every religious exercise: or of
good men; for such an elder or bishop has chiefly to do and
converse with; and if he is not a lover of them, their company
will be disagreeable to him, and he will be of no advantage to
them; and if he does not love the souls of men, he will not
naturally care for their state, or be concerned for their
good." - Gill
2. "The appellation points here to that large heart which finds
room for sympathy with all that is good and noble and
generous." - J. W. Shepherd
IX. JUST (Ti 1:8)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., dikaios - "in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous,
keeping the commands of God; in a narrower sense, rendering to
each his due and that in a judicial sense, passing just
judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the
manner of dealing with them" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "just" (KJV, ASV, NKJV, NASB)
 b. "upright" (NRSV)
3. As used elsewhere:
a. Of Joseph, husband of Mary - Mt 1:19
b. Of Zacharias and Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist - Lk
1:6
c. Of Simeon who waited for the consolation of Israel - Lk 2:25
d. Of Joseph of Arimathea - Lk 23:50
e. Of Cornelius the centurion - Ac 10:32
f. Of Jesus Christ, our advocate - 1 Jn 2:1
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. An elder must be "righteous in his dealings with men, giving to
everyone their due; upright and sincere in his conversation
with the saints; and faithful in his counsel, admonitions, and
reproofs." - Gill
2. "The one who is just is one who tries strictly to perform his
duties toward men - the duties which integrity and justice seem
imperatively to ask of him in his relation with his neighbor."
- Lipscomb
X. HOLY (Ti 1:8)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., hosios - "undefiled by sin, free from wickedness,
religiously observing every moral obligation, pure, holy,
pious" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "holy" (KJV, ASV, NKJV)
b. "devout" (NASB, NRSV)
3. As Used elsewhere:
a. Pertaining to hands lifted in prayer - 1 Ti 2:8
b. Applied to Jesus, our High Priest - He 7:26
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. An elder must be "devout towards God, constant in all religious
exercises in the closet, family, and church; and living
soberly, righteously, and godly in the world." - Gill
2. He must be "one who reverences and worships God, and is of a
spiritual and heavenly conversation." - Henry
XI. SELF-CONTROLLED (Ti 1:8)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., egkrates - "Originally, having power over; possessed of;
hence, controlling, keeping in hand." - Vincent
2. Translated as:
a. "self-controlled" (NKJV, ASV, NASB)
b. "temperate" (KJV)
3. Not used anywhere else in the Scriptures, though a similar word
(egkrateia) is enjoined:
a. As part of the fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:21-22
b. As necessary to growing in the knowledge of Christ - 2 Pe 1:
 5-8
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. Temperate "in eating and drinking; continent from the lusts of
the flesh; and even abstaining from those things which might be
lawfully used, though inexpedient, for the sake of the weak,
the peace of the church, and the glory of God." - Gill
2. "Holding all his desires and appetites in restraint so moderate
in their gratification. The bishop not only must be able to
control his tongue, his eyes, and his hands, but must show a
just and wise moderation." - Lipscomb
CONCLUSION
1. Too often, people focus on a man's family life when selecting an
elder...
a. Is he the husband of one wife?
b. Does he have faithful children?
2. Just as important is that we consider his personality and
abilities...
a. What kind of person is he?
b. Will he be able to fulfill the task of shepherding the flock?
Noting the positive qualifications help us do that, as do the negative
qualifications which we shall examine in the next lesson...

"SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOCK"

Their Qualifications - Negative Qualities
INTRODUCTION
1. This is our sixth lesson on the subject of elders...
a. We began with an introduction to the office, focusing on terms
used to describe them
b. We considered their work and responsibility as ordained by God
c. We noted some preliminary considerations regarding their
qualifications
d. We examined the familial qualifications of an elder
e. We canvassed the positive qualifications of an elder
2. Remember that in the two lists (1 Ti 3:1-7; Ti 1:5-9), the
qualifications contain both...
a. Positive qualities (what an elder must be)
b. Negative qualities (what an elder must not be)
[We now turn our attention to the "Negative Qualities" required of
elders, the first being...]
I. NOT GIVEN TO WINE (1 Ti 3:3; Ti 1:7)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., paroinos - "This word not only signifies one who is
inordinately attached to wine, a winebibber or tippler, but
also one who is imperious, abusive, insolent, whether through
wine or otherwise." - Clarke
 2. Translated as:
a. "not given to wine" (NKJV)
b. "not addicted to wine" (NASB)
c. "no brawler" (ASV), "not a brawler" (KJV)
d. "not a drunkard" (NRSV)
e. "who does not transgress over wine" (Syriac version)
f. "not insolent through wine" (Arabic version)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. The word is found only in these two lists - 1 Ti 3:3; Ti 1:7
b. Though the same idea is expressed in regards to deacons
- cf. 1 Ti 3:8
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "No more dangerous and hurtful practice is known to man that
the use of strong drink. An elder must set a good example in
all things." - Lipscomb
2. "The same inspired author who advises Timothy to use a little
wine for the sake of his stomach and frequent illnesses (1 Ti
5:23), also clearly declares that one who fails to practice
moderation has no right to a place in the presbytery. A wine-
bibber, tippler, or drunkard cannot be a worthy overseer."
- Hendriksen
II. NOT VIOLENT (1Ti 3:3; Ti 1:7)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., plektes - "bruiser, ready for a blow; a pugnacious,
contentious, quarrelsome person" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not violent" (NKJV, NRSV)
b. "no striker" (KJV, ASV)
c. "not pugnacious" (NASB)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. The word is found only in these two lists - 1 Ti 3:3; Ti 1:7
b. Its close connection to the abuse of wine is akin to that
found in Pro 23:29-30
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. An elder must not be "ungoverned in temper, ready to resent
insult or wrong, real or imaginary, quarrelsome, or ready to
fight." - Lipscomb
2. "He must be no striker; not quarrelsome; not ready to strike a
person who may displease him; no persecutor of those who may
differ from him; not prone, as one wittily said, 'To prove his
doctrine orthodox By apostolic blows and knocks'." - Clarke
III. NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY (1Ti 3:3; Ti 1:7)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., aischrokerdes - "eager for base gain, greedy for money"
- Thayer
2. Translated as:
 a. "not greedy for money" (NKJV)
b. "not greedy of filthy lucre" (KJV)
c. Omitted in 1 Ti 3:3 (ASV, NASB, NRSV) - see reason why below
d. "not greedy of filthy lucre" (ASV, Ti 1:7)
e. "not fond of sordid gain" (NASB, Ti 1:7)
f. "not greedy for gain" (NRSV, Ti 1:7)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. In reference to deacons - 1 Ti 3:8
b. A similar word used by Peter regarding elders - 1 Pe 5:2
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "not covetous of getting money, of amassing wealth and riches
together; or desirous of popular applause and glory from men."
- Gill
2. "This clause is not in the Alexandrian copy, nor in five of
Beza's manuscripts and other copies, nor is it in the Vulgate
Latin version, nor in any of the Oriental versions; it seems to
be transcribed from Ti 1:7. And indeed it is unnecessary here;
since the same is expressed by the word 'covetous', at the end
of the verse, and makes that a tautology; and moreover, by
leaving out this clause, the opposition appears more manifest,
between 'no striker' and what follows ('but patient')." - Gill
IV. NOT QUARRELSOME (1 Ti 3:3)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., amachos - "not contentious; abstaining from fighting"
- Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not quarrelsome" (NKJV, NRSV)
b. "not a brawler" (KJV)
c. "not contentious" (ASV)
d. "peaceable" (NASB)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. Required of all Christians - Ti 3:2
b. A similar word used of servants of the Lord - cf. 2 Ti 2:24
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. The elder "should not be a man given to contention, or apt to
take up a quarrel. The Greek is, literally, 'Not disposed to
fight.' - Barnes
2. "This does not mean that one is not to stand and contend for
the truth, but many are ready to contend over unimportant
matters. Such always live in foment and strife. Even truth and
right should not be maintained in a contentious spirit."
- Lipscomb
V. NOT COVETOUS (1 Ti 3:3)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., aphilarguros - not loving money, not avaricious - Thayer
2. Translated as:
 a. "not covetous" (NKJV, KJV)
b. "no lover of money" (ASV)
c. "free from the love of money" (NASB)
d. "not a lover of money" (NRSV)
3. Used elsewhere:
a. A virtue expected of all Christians - He 13:5
b. The vice of covetousness condemned as idolatry - Ep 5:5; Co
3:5
c. The love of money (philarguria) is a root of all kinds of
evil - 1 Ti 6:10
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "Not only must the overseer be a man who is far removed from
the Judas-like attitude (Jn 12:6) of trying to enrich himself
by dishonest means...but he must also be far removed from
making the acquisition of earthly treasure his chief goal in
life even though the means employed should be honest."
- Hendriksen
2. "A man should not be put into the ministry who is
characteristically a lover of money. Such a one, no matter what
his talents may be, has no proper qualification for the office,
and will do more harm than good." - Barnes
VI. NOT A NOVICE (1 Ti 3:6)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., neophutos - "newly planted; a new convert, neophyte (one
who has recently become a Christian)" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not a novice" (NKJV, KJV, ASV)
b. "not a new convert" (NASB)
c. "must not be a recent convert" (NRSV)
3. Not used anywhere else in the Scriptures - yet cf. 1 Co 3:1; He
5:12-13 ("babes")
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. Paul explains why this qualification is necessary ("lest being
puffed up pride he fall...")
2. "The particular peril of a young convert who is placed in a
position of prominence and power is that of pride...a 'novice'
might be puffed up with self-conceit and vanity, and so fall
under the doom incurred by devil, and ceasing to be a minister
of light, he might become a instrument of darkness." - Erdman
VII. NOT SELF-WILLED (Ti 1:7)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., authades - "self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not self-willed" (NKJV, KJV, ASV, NASB)
b. "must not be arrogant" (NRSV)
3. Used elsewhere: in regards to those who despise authority
 - 2 Pe 2:10
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. "Not doing things in the worship and house of God, in the
ministry of the word, and administration of ordinances,
according to his own will, but according to the will of God,
revealed in his word; otherwise what he does will come under
the name of will worship." - Gill
2. "...he must not be of such a stubborn spirit that he clings to
his own will and refuses to listen to reason or facts. One in
such a position must have the sincere desire to fully
investigate all sides, to know the full truth, and then be
guided by it, and not by the self-will of his own." - Lipscomb
VIII. NOT QUICK-TEMPERED (Ti 1:7)
A. THE WORD...
1. Gr., orgilos - "prone to anger, irascible" - Thayer
2. Translated as:
a. "not quick-tempered" (NKJV, NASB, NRSV)
b. "not soon angry" (KJV, ASV)
3. Not used anywhere else in the Scriptures - yet cf. Ja 1:19-20
("slow to wrath")
B. THE APPLICATION...
1. An elder must not be "soon and easily provoked and inflamed.
How unfit are those to govern a church who cannot govern
themselves, or their own turbulent and unruly passions! The
minister must be meek and gentle, and patient towards all men."
- Henry
2. An elder must be "one who can restrain and govern himself [He
should not be one ever ready with an angry, hasty word,
remembering always his Master, 'who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again.']." - Lipscomb [J. W. Shepherd]
CONCLUSION
1. The list of negative qualities can be revealing about the work of
elders...
a. It can test one's patience (e.g., when there is murmuring,
discontent, or apathy among brethren)
b. It can place one in volatile situations (e.g., that faced by the
apostles, cf. Ac 6:1-2)
c. It can be tempting for those attracted by money (e.g., Judas, the
Pharisees)
2. For the flock of God to be well-fed and well-led, it requires men who
meet both...
a. The positive qualities (what an elder must be)
b. The negative qualities (what an elder must not be)
Our next study will review the duties of the sheep toward their
shepherds...